“Yes, I’d like to return Jesus,” I said, taking hold of Jesus and laying him on the gift store counter.
The clerk looked at me blankly, so I tried to explain.
“I bought this Jesus doll, but my granddaughter already has Jesus.”
I laugh. She doesn’t. So, I start to prattle.
“Ha, ha. Weird, right? Who would return Jesus?”
Another clerk joins her, offering zero answers and zero smiles. Was there a “No returning Jesus” store policy?
They wait while I fumble through my purse for a receipt.
The second clerk ups the pressure, “Uh oh, better watch out! Jesus is watching you.”
So was everyone else. A growing line of onlookers stared me down as the search for my integrity became more frantic.
With no proof of purchase and nothing to lose, I stood on the edge of a strange, new mission field in the middle of what had once appeared to be an everyday, ordinary life.
“Jesus loves you!!” I declare to the curious crowd. “Jesus loves us all.”
Just then, a church friend peeks around the corner. “Nikki? Oh, it’s you! I was wondering who was trying to return Jesus!”
How could I take Him back now?
I was all in for Jesus.
Apologizing for my mistake, I claimed Jesus back and left there holding Him a little closer to my heart than when I walked in.
But that’s the truth about being a Christian.
“…for the Lord is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Wherever you go? Jesus goes there, too.
Having too much Jesus? Impossible!
But by His grace and with a little courage, we can seize every opportunity to share Jesus with others and leave them wanting more of Jesus, too.
Because one day, He WILL return.